University of Bejaia

Faculty of exact sciences

Department of computer science
Level: third year
Module: technical English

Active / Passive Forms

Sentences can be active or passive. Therefore, tenses also have "active forms" and
"passive forms."

Active Form:

In active sentences, the thing doing the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing
receiving the action is the object. Most sentences are active.

[Thing doing action] + [verb] + [thing receiving action]

Examples :

Passive Form

In passive sentences, the thing receiving the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing
doing the action is optionally included near the end of the sentence. You can use the passive
form if you think that the thing receiving the action is more important or should be
emphasized. You can also use the passive form if you do not know who is doing the action or
if you do not want to mention who is doing the action.

[Thing receiving action] + [be] + [past participle of verb] + [by] + [thing doing action]

Examples:
Active / Passive Overview

Tense Active Passive

Once a week, Tom cleans the Once a week, the house is cleaned
Simple Present
house. by Tom.
Present Right now, Sarah is writing the Right now, the letter is being
Continuous letter. written by Sarah.
Simple Past Sam repaired the car. The car was repaired by Sam.
The salesman was helping the The customer was being helped by
Past
customer when the thief came the salesman when the thief came
Continuous
into the store. into the store.
Many tourists have visited that That castle has been visited by
Present Perfect
castle. many tourists.
Present Perfect Recently, John has been doing Recently, the work has been being
Continuous the work. done by John.
George had repaired many cars Many cars had been repaired by
Past Perfect before he received his mechanic's George before he received his
license. mechanic's license.
Chef Jones had been preparing The restaurant's fantastic dinners
Past Perfect the restaurant's fantastic dinners had been being prepared by Chef
Continuous for two years before he moved to Jones for two years before he
Paris. moved to Paris.

Simple Future Someone will finish the work by The work will be finished by 5:00
will 5:00 PM. PM.